Conversions: George (2), Sam F (2), Rhys
By the time we’d left the misty morning of Pentyrch and travelled to St Peters, the clouds had lifted and we were set for a glorious sunny day. The sunshine brought with it a positive mood but, with a number of key players missing, everyone knew this was going to be a tough day. And so it turned out, but not without cause for optimism for the way in which the Pentyrch team stuck to their task against some very tough opposition.
In total the tournament comprised four groups, the winners and runners-up of which would go through to a knock-out stage. Pentyrch were in a group of three with St Peters and Penallta. The othe three groups comprised four teams each.
Group Match 1: Pentyrch U14s v St Peter’s U14s
Pentyrch: Sam Fenton, Henry, George, Rhys, Harry, Cai, Elliot, Aaron, Tom, Ethan, Will Cole, Sam Williams
St Peter’s declared their intent from the off, piling on the pressure with a series of drives that saw them push Pentyrch deep into their own half. Elliot seemed to have staunched the green tide when he ripped the ball, but before the boys could gather themselves for a counter-attack, they were turned over by St Peter’s. In these frantic opening minutes, it seemed that each time Pentyrch managed to win the ball, a turnover or knock-on returned the ball to the opposition. Just when it seemed the tide was changing with the award of a scrum to Pentrych, St Peter’s took it against the head and released their left winger to go over for the first try of the match. 5 - 0 to St Peter’s. Luckily for Pentyrch, the conversion attempt hit the post.
From the St Peter’s kick-off, Henry gathered but, before he could switch on his after-burners, he was closed down. What ensued was a series of rucks and mauls in which neither side could gain the upper hand. When Pentyrch did manage to win the ball it was all a little too lateral. Just as it looked as if the game was settling down into a slogging match, a high tackle on Will Cole saw Pentyrch awarded a penalty. A quick tap from George saw the ball delivered along the line to Sam Fenton who made a good fifty yards that took us to the St Peter’s 20 metre line. Sam’s run bought to a halt. But a St Peter’s knock-on by their tackler and a quick break from the following Pentyrch scrum by George saw the ball delivered along the backs. Elliot burst into the line and sucked in the last of the St Peter’s defence. As they dragged him down, he slipped a pass to Henry whose electric pace took him under the posts for the Tyrchs first try. George safely converted. 7 - 5 to Pentyrch.
St Peter’s returned to the fray eager to redress the balance and piled on the forward pressure. Again they took another Pentyrch scrum against the head and mounted a concerted attack on our line. And just when it looked as though their prop would breach our lines, last-ditch defending kept him at bay long enough until the welcome sound of the half-time whistle.
At half-time Rhodri came on for Tom. Following a half-time talk, the Pentyrch boys were more focused and inventive. They were seeing a lot more of the ball and with deft touches from centres Cai and Harry frustrating the opposition, penalties soon followed. A Will Cole drive from one of these penalties saw the ball popped up to Elliot who went over in the left-hand corner for the Tyrchs second try. A difficult conversion fell short. 12 - 5 to Pentyrch.
From the kick-off St Peter’s gathered the ball, but from the ensuing ruck Pentyrch were deemed to be offside and a penalty awarded against them. Taking the impetus out of the forward drive from St Peter’s tap-penalty, Pentyrch countered, with St Peter’s pressured into putting the ball into touch as a result. As the game ebbed and flowed, kicking for touch now seemed to be the order of the day. During one of these lineout stoppages, Nick came on for Harry, with Rhodri going to centre in the reshuffle. It now looked as though St Peter’s were attempting to build the pressure by winning the hard yards. But just as it looked as though they would gain the ascendency, a St Peter’s knock-on resulted in a Pentyrch scrum. From the scrum Rhys kicks for territory, but an offside against St Peter’s sees play brought back and Pentyrch awarded a penalty. A quick tap and the ball is moved out to Rhys who again kicks into the space behind the advancing St Peter’s boys. This time the ever-alert George follows up, gathers the ball and races through to put the ball down under the posts. He then cooly converts to make the score 17 - 5. With the game safe, Pentyrch absorbed the St Peter’s pressure to see the game out. Unfortunately, Elliot picked up a knee injury that was to end his tournament.
Group Match 2: Pentyrch U14s v Penallta U14s
Pentyrch: , George, Harry, Rhodri, Chris, Will F, Henry, Aaron, Tom, Dan, Sam Williams, Nick, Ethan
With news of their emphatic win over Rhiwbina a few weeks previously, Penallta’s reputation most definitely went before them. This was only confirmed with first sighting of their team. Ninety per cent of their side wouldn’t have looked out of place in an U16 team. And they proved to be a well-organised, powerful, pacy, athletic rugby team. While their bright blue and yellow kit might not have been endowed by nature as a warning of the peril you risked in coming up against them, it might well have been.
From the Penallta kick-off Harry gathered the ball, but was immediately engulfed by a swarming blue and yellow drive. From the resulting turnover the powerful Penallta runners drove through to score. Pentyrch down 0 - 5.
This time, Penallta’s kick-off saw Ethan gather the ball. Again, the blue and yellow embrace was the reward. But this time, Penallta were adjudged to have entered the ruck from the side. From the tap penalty, George kicked for the line, which was touched in flight by one of the Penallta boys. Perhaps ‘Lady Luck’ would be on Pentyrch’s side in fronting up against this impressive force of nature from Penallta. But there was no relief to be had from that source. Penallta stole the Pentyrch line-out. The ball was quickly delivered along the line to their centre who ran the ball in from sixty metres out. The conversion added and the score was 0 - 12 to Penallta.
Relief for the Pentyrch team as the Penallta kick-off goes straight into touch. Scrum-down in the centre to Pentyrch but, as with the lineout, no real advantage. The Tyrchs are shoved off the ball and Penallta look to move the ball across their back line to release their centres. This time as the ball is delivered into the centre’s hands, he finds it is also accompanied by Rhodri who makes a superb tackle on his opposite number. Unfortunately, the in-depth strength of the Penallta team sees them re-gather the ball to burst through for their third try. 0 - 19.
From the kick-off Penallta were adjudged to have been offside and a penalty awarded to Pentyrch on the centre spot. A tap penalty from George saw the ball moved quickly along the line. Chris took the ball into contact and from the ensuing ruck, Pentyrch were awarded another penalty. This time George kicked for touch to gain territory. Unfortunately, Pentyrch took too long with their lineout and the ball was awarded to Penallta. As they mounted yet another attack, a knock-on earned some respite for Pentyrch. But from the scrum that followed Penallta won the ball and again released their centre who ran the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts. 0 - 26 to Penallta.
From the Penallta kick-out, it is Pentyrch’s turn to knock-on. Penallta win their scrum and move the ball along the line. The boys stem the attack and this time they force a turnover which Tom gathers to end the first half on a positive note. Penallta were now seeming just a little less invincible.
At half-time Sam Fenton came on for Henry. From the Pentyrch kick-off, Penallta knocked on and Pentyrch were awarded scrum on the opposition ten metre line. Pentyrch won their scrum with George popping the ball to Nick who then popped the ball to Will Fry on the blind side. With his path blocked Will stepped back inside and released a spin-pass to Harry who broke the Penallta line. He then moved the ball out to Sam Williams, who immediately took a heavy, crunching tackle that carried him into touch. From the lineout that followed Penallta knocked on. But yet again a seeming advantage came to nothing as Pentyrch were shoved off their scrum and Penallta scored another converted try. Pentyrch now trailing 0 - 33. To make matters worse had taken a heavy knock and had to be helped off. Rhys took his place at scrum half.
From the Penallta kick-off Will Fry gathered the ball; he side-stepped, jinked and ducked three of the blue and yellows’, but ultimately succumbed to their forceful embrace. However, in their eagerness, Penallta knocked on and a scrum was awarded to Pentyrch. Rhys gathered from the scrum and sent a pass to Will on the blind side. Unfortunately, it was too high for Will and went straight into touch. On the positive side, there were signs of more ingenuity and resolve on the part of the Pentyrch team.
Penallta knocked-on from the resulting lineout. This time Pentyrch won their scrum and moved the ball out to Sam Fenton, but who was eventually forced into touch. Growing in self-belief, Pentyrch pressure the Penallta lineout with Nick rummaging the ball from under their noses. Stung into action, Penallta counter and win back the ball. They quickly move the ball out to their imposing centre who having been squeezed tight to the touchline decides to straighten things up. But with necessity being the mother of invention, the smallest boy on the pitch resorted to a new tackling technique. Will Fry enacted his impression of the marauding spiders from the film ‘Eight-legged Freaks’, leaping and clinging to the powerful Penallta centre long enough for reinforcements to arrive and force a knock-on.
With growing self-confidence, Pentyrch again win their scrum with Nick picking up from the base and driving into the Penallta boys. From the ruck that forms Penallta knock-on. Yet again Pentyrch win the scrum and this time Nick makes a break down the blind-side. From this attack Pentyrch win a penalty but are unable to take advantage. Penallta regain the ball and again pressure the Pentyrch line, but great defending results in Penallta’s final pass going straight out into touch. From the Pentyrch throw-in, Nick gathers off the back of the line and moves the ball out to the backs, but a knock-on just as it looks as though we might break the Penallta line brings the game to an end.
There was no doubt that physically and technically Penallta were by far the stronger team on the day, but the bravery, ingenuity and resolve shown by the Pentyrch team will stand them in good stead when the uneven and erratic development in nature’s growth patterns eventually unwinds. The spirit of the team was demonstrated by a forward pack that was seriously undermanned with boys in positions they had little experience of. But they gave their absolute all, from the never-take-a-backward-step tenacity of the ever-present Aaron and the commitment of ‘Daggers’ who, whenever called upon, never stops working for the team.
Quarter Final: Pentyrch U14s v Pontypridd U14s
Pentyrch: Aaron, Tom, Ethan, Rhodri, Nick, Sam Williams, George, Rhys, Harry, Cai, Sam Fenton, Henry,
In spite of the sunshine and the socialising with boys from the other teams a wait well in excess of two hours was not the ideal preparation for any game of rugby. And by now even the sun had decided it was close to calling it a day. The shadows were lengthening, the temperature was dropping and the parents were flagging.
On a more positive note, George had recovered well enough to be able to take part in this important game. And it was George who got the match under way. Ponty gathered the ball and launched an attack, but Harry was quickly up to bring down their powerful runner. In the ensuing ruck, Ponty conceded a penalty, which George took quickly, only for it to result in a turnover to the Pandas. But they then knocked-on resulting in a Tyrchs’ scrum, which Ponty took against the head. Again Ponty knocked-on. This time the Tyrchs’ scrum held. George fed to Rhys, looped around and fed the ball back again to Rhys, who launched a kick to gain territory. But the Ponty boys gathered the ball and ran it back at us to score a try, which they then converted. Pentyrch 0 - 7 Pontypridd.
From the Ponty kick-out Ethan gathered and fed the ball out to Rhys who found touch with his kick. Pentyrch took the Ponty lineout but were then turned over following a series of rucks. Before they could take advantage Ponty knocked-on and Pentyrch were awarded a scrum. The ball was fed out to Henry on the blind side, but the opposition were alive to the danger and managed to smother the threat posed by Henry. Ponty came away from the ensuing ruck and launched a series of surging attacks. A dogged Pentyrch defence held out, but in the end Ponty went over for their second try on the stroke of half-time. Pentyrch 0 - 14 Pontypridd.
From the Pontypridd kick-off getting the second-half underway, Sam Williams gathered the ball. In the ruck that followed, Ponty knocked-on. In what had been a tough day for the stalwart Pentyrch forwards, who were missing the physical power of several key players, they were unable to match the power of the opposition. Ponty took the ball against the head and launched their backs who carried the ball into the corner for a try. Pentyrch 0 - 19 Pontypridd.
As the sun set further in the sky the shadows lengthened, but the resolve of the Pentyrch boys to give a good account of themselves remained unmoved. Under intense pressure, the Tyrchs defence held firm as Ponty launched a series of attacks. Following a Ponty knock-on, Pentyrch win their scrum only to have their ball turned-over, but with dogged defiance win it back. The Tyrchs get the ball out to Henry, but he is unable to break the Ponty line. In the ensuing melee Pentyrch win a lineout. As Nick gathers the ball Ponty drive through disrupting the Tyrchs possession, scooping up the ball and carry it over under the posts. The try is converted. Pentyrch 0 - 26 Pontypridd.
From the restart Rhodri gathers and takes the ball into contact but in the ensuing ruck that forms, a tiring Pentyrch concede a penalty for entering from the side. Ponty take a quick tap ball and go on to score. Pentyrch 0 - 31 Pontypridd. Will Fry is brought on for Sam Fenton. From the kick-out Ponty concede a penalty for coming in from the side of the ruck and then concede a further ten yards. Sensing an opportunity, Pentyrch kick the penalty to touch. But Pontypridd win the lineout and drive down the flank. Some defiant defending keeps them at bay until the ball is forced into touch to end the game.
A tough, tough day for the Tyrchs, but the boys are to be commended for their unflagging commitment to the club and to each other. A special thank-you also to James, the first-team captain for giving up his Sunday to coach the boys through the tournament.
Cardiff & Vale U14’s District Tournament
2nd October 2011
Tyrchs Tire in Testing Tropical Temperature
History does not record whether John Keats ever visited Llantwit Major, but if he had taken advantage of a ride in Matt Smith’s TARDIS to watch last Sunday’s District Tournament he would doubtless have been able to tap into a rich vein of potential material for his odes, poems and other stuff like that. After the driving rain of the preceding week, Sunday presaged a return to the season of mists, and [here and there], a degree of mellow fruitfulness.
That said, the timing of the ‘festival’ was, in this observer’s opinion, ill judged. Scheduled a mere three weeks after the start of the season, there was insufficient time for coaches to nurture and harvest the latent talent at their disposal, with consequent impact on performance. Add to this the energy sapping effect of our Indian Summer, and you have a combination of ingredients which certainly compromised the ability of many teams [the Tyrchs included] to perform to their full potential.
Ultimately Pentyrch U14’s bowed out at the Group stage, disappointed not to have equalled last season’s semi-final placing, but there could be no real complaints this time around. There were some very strong passages of play, punctuated by flashes of individual brilliance, but in the final analysis, the team’s pool results were probably an accurate reflection of the balance of play.
Pentyrch Squad
Forwards:
Ben Harrison Jones, Tom Macdonald, Aaron Tomlinson, Gwilym Rees, Will Cole, Owen Evans, Elliott Jones, Ethan Denty, Rhodri Davies Hughes, Patrick Evans, Nick Bowler, Lewis Evans
Backs:
George Ashby, Rhys Lynch, Cai Stephens, Sam Fenton, Henry Davies, Will Fry, Ryan James, Chris Jones, Harry Jones
‘Summer had o’er brimmed their clammy cells’
Pentyrch 7 Rhiwbina 15
As traditionally slow starters, an opening fixture against long standing rivals [and nemesis] Rhiwbina was probably the last thing the Tyrch’s wanted when play eventually got underway at around 11am on this baking hot, windless morning. Initially listless, the boys soon shook themselves free of torpor, with Nick Bowler and Patrick Evans tackling strongly to break up a series of raids from The Squirrels. However a 5 metre scrum provided a platform for a forward drive which yielded the opening try. Almost directly from the restart the Tyrchs found themselves 10-0 down as the Rhiwbina flanker bulldozed his way through a series of poorly timed tackles en route to a second try, down the left touchline.
Stirred, and probably shaken, the boys reacted well and Ryan James’ left wing break almost halved the deficit on the stroke of half time, but a pincer movement from the Rhiwbina backs shepherded him into touch.
There was a greater sense of urgency in the Tyrchs’ play as the second half got underway- Rhodri Davies Hughes and Ben Harrison Jones tackling fiercely, and Ryan James again went close, following splendid work by Cai Stephens and Sam Fenton. Sadly the growing momentum was halted as moments later, a loose pass led to an interception try, and a seemingly unassailable 15-0 lead for Rhiwbina.
With The Squirrels swamping midfield, it became difficult for the boys to find a way back, but perseverance eventually paid off. Henry Davies first broke the line, then George Ashby found space but was grounded at ten metres. Ethan Denty took up the mantle but Rhiwbina’s persistent infringement in the loose led to a deserved penalty try for the Tyrchs, duly converted by George Ashby with virtually the last play of the match- 15-7 to Rhiwbina, in a draining encounter.
‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever….’
Pentyrch 21 St Peters 10
Drawing encouragement from their second half showing against Rhiwbina the Tyrchs started well in their second match, as the sun reached its zenith. Sam Fenton led by example, fielding a high kick, running out from defence, Ethan Denty carried well in the loose, and after the early skirmishes, a burst through the middle from the excellent Ryan James yielded the first try which George Ashby converted.
The restart was fielded by Patrick Evans who, in a remarkable surging run, tore straight through a series of tackles and onward the length of the field, to touch down under the posts. Sam Fenton converted – 14-0.
With Ethan Denty disrupting The Rocks’ game plan in the loose, and Nick Bowler tackling voraciously, the Tyrchs were able to build on their early superiority. At the start of the second half Harry Jones caught the ball just inside opposition territory, pinned back his ears, and ran through the heart of the St Peter’s defence to further extend the lead. The ever reliable George Ashby converted -21-0.
The game won, the Tyrchs could be forgiven for regrouping in the searing heat, and The Rocks managed to reduce the deficit with a close range score following a 5 metre penalty. Patrick Evans then smothered a further attack, and right at the end, St Peter’s were awarded a second touchdown, albeit that their try scorer had been bundled into touch well before the ball was grounded. No matter, pride had been restored with a well deserved victory.
‘A drowsy numbness pains my senses…’
Pentyrch 12 Penarth 38
Nigh on two hours elapsed before the boys got to play their third and final game. Wilting and lethargic in the afternoon heat, they struggled to regain their momentum, realising, no doubt, that the tournament’s truncated format meant that this year, only one side would progress to the knock out stages- and with Rhiwbina already having established an unassailable lead- the die had been cast.
The Tyrchs started brightly with Sam Fenton prominent. When Penarth responded, their initial foray down the left touchline was halted by Henry Davies. However, respite was short lived and following a series of penalties, a try became inevitable. The response was immediate with Sam Fenton accelerating into space before releasing Ryan James on the outside. He swerved inside to level, and George Ashby’s conversion gave the boys a slender 7-5 lead.
Penarth regrouped and whilst Patrick Evans bravely saved a certain try, a subsequent penalty created space; the ball was moved left, a second score resulted, and a 10-7 deficit at half time.
Ethan Denty nearly crossed the gain line early in the second half but that represented the Tyrchs’ best hope of regaining the lead: a counter attack down the right touchline resulted in a third Penarth try, effectively sealing victory. From the restart, the sea-siders cut through again- a converted try extending the advantage to 24-7. A foray down the left hand side soon afterwards proved equally profitable and the Tyrchs looked out on their feet at 31-7.
To their credit, the boys refused to buckle - a kick and chase to the corner was followed up by the pack, and following a ruck, Elliot Jones dived through to reduce the deficit to 31-12.
The final word went to Penarth however, as another incursion down the right wing created sufficient space for their sixth try- 38-12.
A long and largely unrewarding day and probably not one to dwell on for too long. The Tyrchs had beaten each of these sides last season, and with more game time under their belts, there is no reason to suppose that they cannot scale the same heights in the months ahead.
History suggests our boys tend to play their best rugby when the temperature drops, the rain falls and the days shorten. With the clocks soon going back, and Cardiff City Council already having installed their Christmas decorations, we shouldn’t have too long to wait….
RMJ
[With apologies to the Estate of J. Keats]
Pentyrch Scorers:
Tries:
Ryan James [2]
Patrick Evans
Harry Jones
Elliot Jones
Referee [Penalty Try]
Conversions:
George Ashby [4]
Sam Fenton
Llandaff U14’s 21 Pentyrch 22
25 September 2011
Tyrch’s Stun Llandaff with Second Half Fightback
If the proverbial fat lady had already cleared he throat and adjusted her corset by the time Ryan James raced through to touchdown under the posts with the last play of this fascinating encounter, she would certainly have had the microphone firmly in her grasp when George Ashby stepped up to land the conversion which handed the spoils of victory to the Tyrchs by the narrowest of margins.
Looking dead and buried at half time Pentyrch surged back with a superb second half display, confounding their hosts to score 17 unanswered points.
Pentyrch Squad
Forwards:
Ben Harrison Jones, Tom Macdonald, Gwilym Rees, Will Cole, Elliott Jones, Ethan Denty, Rhodri Davies Hughes, Patrick Evans, Nick Bowler, Lewis Evans
Backs:
Will Fry, Rhys Lynch, George Ashby, Cai Stephens, Sam Fenton, Henry Davies, Ryan James, Chris Jones, Harry Jones, Marcus Gallo
The rain fell hard as the match got underway, both sides testing their opponents with forward- led forays in the middle third. The outstanding Will Cole and Elliott Jones probed purposefully, the Tyrchs edged closer, but Llandaff cleared their lines with a clever clearance kick. Henry Davies needed all his pace and guile to clear the danger. A cross-field kick out of defence from outside half Rhys Lynch bounced in favour of winger Ryan James, he gathered and burst through with speed and power, evading three tackles on his way to the try line: 5-0 to the visitors.
The hosts responded well and spent the next 10 minutes camped in the Tyrchs 22. Gwilym Rees and Ben Harrison Jones held them at bay with courageous play in the loose, but eventually the dam broke and Llandaff scored, a splendid touchline conversion giving them a narrow advantage.
The game ebbed and flowed, with Sam Fenton and Henry Davies prominent in attack, and Nick Bowler and Rhodri Davies Hughes tidying up in defence. Then in the space of five short minutes the hosts cut loose, firstly with a well worked back row crash ball move from 5 metres out, and then, from the restart, a rapier like thrust down the right wing created their third try, both of which were converted from difficult angles- 21-5 at half time.
Second Half
With a number of positional changes made at half time, it would have been reasonable to expect the Tyrchs to take a little time to regroup against seemingly rampant opponents. However with Gwilym and Rhodri racking up a prodigious tackle count, and Patrick Evans punching holes in the Llandaff defence the boys rallied well. After contriving a series of well crafted, if slightly ponderous moves cross field, the backs fed Elliot Jones who muscled through to score on the right hand touchline: 21-10.
The momentum was with the Tyrchs now and with the Llandaff scrum under pressure, a knock-on gave the visitors the opportunity to generate a forward drive; the well placed Cai Stephens seized the ball and ran through to touchdown; 21-15.
Llandaff responded, and a foray on the right touchline was halted with a well timed Marcus Gallo tackle. Cai Stephens and George Ashby combined well, and Will Fry kept the momentum going from the base of the scrum. However, the hosts held firm and a series of penalties awarded for numerous infringements and handling errors appeared to have sapped the Tyrchs’ resolve. With the game seemingly won, Llandaff worked a move slowly down the left touchline and into their opponents’ half, but the ball regained by Will Fry, was swiftly moved out to Ryan James who tore down the right wing, bouncing off tackles before resetting his compass with a looping run to score close to the posts. 21-20 and into the ‘red zone’.
Up stepped George Ashby to calmly slot over the conversion which sealed victory and prompted widespread celebration from team mates and spectators [well in the visitors’ enclosure at least].
A nail biting finish and a tribute to the Tyrchs’ determination, resilience and resolve. ‘Never in doubt’ muttered the Chairman of the Pentyrch Mini & Junior Section, as the fat lady raised her eyebrows….
Pentyrch Scorers
Tries:
Ryan James [2]
Cai Stephens
Elliot Jones
Conversion
George Ashby
Pentyrch Under 14’s 5 Barry 28
9th September 2011
It was obvious that Summer was over- a rain lashed Bank holiday weekend, trailers for Strictly Come Dancing on TV, and the annual leaked rumours of another increase in the national retirement age. No change there, then….
Turning to the seasonal positives, the Under 14’s looked forward to the rigours of the new academic year, and with, I suspect, slightly more enthusiasm, a return to Pentyrch RFC and the challenges and opportunities posed by the new fixture list.
The first match was switched to Friday night to avoid a clash with Wales’ opening World Cup fixture, and pitched the boys against highly regarded opposition in the shape of Barry RFC. The visitors ran out worthy winners, and whilst the Tyrchs competed gamely for around 40 minutes, lack of training/match practice was ultimately exploited by well drilled opponents.
Pentrych Squad
Forwards:
Tom Macdonald, Aaron Tomlinson, Gwilym Rees, Will Cole, Owen Evans, Elliott Jones, Ethan Denty, Rhodri Davies Hughes, Patrick Evans, Daniel Dagley, Nick Bowler, Lewis Evans
Backs:
George Ashby, Rhys Lynch, Cai Stephens, Sam Fenton, Henry Davies, Will Fry, Ryan James, Chris Jones, Harry Jones, Marcus Gallo
The early exchanges were tight and controlled, with Barry gradually gaining territorial advantage through a series of well worked combinations. The Tyrchs were grateful to George Ashby for a timely intervention, but the visitors advanced steadily using the guile and acceleration of their pacy right winger to create gaps and consternation in the hosts’ 22. First Sam Fenton and then Nick Bowler snuffed out the danger, but pressure was mounting.
It required consistent concentration and well marshalled defensive lines to repel the seasiders, and for twenty minutes the Tyrchs held firm, but playing almost entirely in their own half. Rhodri Davies Hughes excelled in the loose, and out on the left flank Ryan James made a crucial tackle as Barry continued their relentless drive in what was rapidly developing into a fascinating encounter of high quality rugby.
Eventually Barry found a gap in the Tyrchs’ armour, a clever switch and burst through the centre creating momentum for the opening try which was well converted: 7-0. From the restart our boys showed the pace and handling skills which had served them so well in the second half of last season: from second phase ball Harry Jones darted out to the left before releasing an inside pass to Henry Davies, whose slaloming run saw him evade several would be tacklers en route to a touch down which narrowed the deficit to 7-5.
As half time approached the Tyrchs appeared to be in the ascendancy, epitomised by a typical bullocking run from Will Cole. A platform gained, the forwards drove on; Elliott Jones hacked the ball forward, brother Harry gathered and was held up just 5 metres short. Henry Davies and then Aaron Tomlinson both went close, but resolute defence kept the Tyrch as bay as the half time whistle blew.
Half Time: Pentyrch 5 Barry 7
Barry were out of the blocks swiftly and decisively, a surge through the middle generating a second try under the posts. The conversion extended the lead to 14-5 and stunned the Tyrchs into action. A series of raids looked likely to yield reward, as Aaron Tomlinson raced down the touchline but was wrestled to the ground at the 22 metre mark. Although Barry regained possession, tackles from Sam Fenton and Patrick Evans helped restore equilibrium, and a slick move saw Ryan James held up mere inches from the line.
The Tyrchs began to tire, concentration wavered, and Barry’s superior passing began to take its toll. Although Patrick Evans and Nick Bowler held up progress, Barry once more camped in the hosts’ half, switching the ball patiently; the right wing once again weaving through despairing tackles on more than one occasion. Eventually the Tyrchs lost the ball in the middle of the field and Barry took full advantage moving in from the right to score close to the posts. The conversion put the result beyond doubt at 21-5.
There was still time for the visitors to extend the lead with another well crafted try and although the Tyrchs tried to regroup in the final minutes, a score line of 28-5 was probably just about right.
To blame this defeat on a degree of ‘ring rustiness’ would be disrespectful to a Barry team which played exceptionally well for the whole 60 minutes. However, there can be no doubt that some of the Tyrchs’ defensive frailties reflected a lack of match practice which can doubtless be remedied in the weeks ahead. There were a number of positives to take from this bruising but well contested encounter, which hindsight will prove to have been an ideal way to return to the fray.
Pentyrch Scores:
Try: Henry Davies